Dear Jason,
I understand that this must be a very troubling time for you, son. I know that it must be hard for you to find out that you have a clinical mental illness. You must be worried about whether you will ever be able to live a "normal" life again. Will you ever be able to get married, get a career, and ever have your own family? Well, I am going to disclose something to you about myself that until now you did not know because I kept it a secret from you all these years. I did not want to burden you with my issues, but now I think it is the right time to tell you the truth about your dear ol' dad. You see, son, about fifteen years ago, I was also diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type. I know that you must be shocked by this admission, but I want you to know this information about me so that you know that you are not a "freak" and that you can live a normal life. Sure, you may have to take medications for the rest of your life, but that is really a small inconvenience for stable mental health. The only alternative is for you to stop taking your medication and wind up either dead or in prison. Trust me, I know this from personal experience because I have been on and off my medications for many years of my life. It is only by the grace of God that I've been able to find the right medication that works for me. Actually, all those times that your mother told you that I was on a "mini vacation" were times that I was either locked up or in a mental health hospital. It was during those times that I had a complete mental breakdown and needed to be hospitalized for both your safety and my own safety.
I sincerely want you to know that I can relate to you and understand what you are going through because I have been there many times. When I was first diagnosed, I felt both fear and anger at the same time. I was angry because I was not sure why God would create me this way. I felt like He made me like your grandmother, who also suffered from our illness when she was alive. As a matter of fact, she never treated her illness because she did not think there was anything wrong with her. I was fearful because I knew that people would never understand me and they would treat me horribly as a result. Since I understand all too well what you are experiencing, I would like to take these next forty days to write you forty letters. In these letters, I will disclose some wise advice to you that I wish my own father would have told me when I was your age. I will also give hope and encouragement so that you will know how you will be able to live a life where you enjoy and glorify God, even while dealing with your mental illness.
My father and I were never close. So, I am hoping that my transparency in each of these letters will help us bond with one another. I would like to spare you all the heartache that I have experienced. Trust me when I tell you that my life has not been all "puppy dogs and rainbows". In reality, I have made a whole lot of bone-headed mistakes and the Lord has had to humble me in more ways than one. Thankfully, the Lord has led me to your step-mom, who has always shown me the patience and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result of her love and patience, I have been able to forgive myself and I have been able to live a life where I strive to live and healthy and stable life. Also, it is to God's glory that your mother has been able to forgive me and we remain good friends to this very day. Please take these life lessons to heart as I express some hard truths in your life. And maybe, just maybe, you will know how to live a life to the glory of God.
Signed,
Your Dad.
***Stay Tuned For Part 2 Of This Series***
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
I understand that this must be a very troubling time for you, son. I know that it must be hard for you to find out that you have a clinical mental illness. You must be worried about whether you will ever be able to live a "normal" life again. Will you ever be able to get married, get a career, and ever have your own family? Well, I am going to disclose something to you about myself that until now you did not know because I kept it a secret from you all these years. I did not want to burden you with my issues, but now I think it is the right time to tell you the truth about your dear ol' dad. You see, son, about fifteen years ago, I was also diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type. I know that you must be shocked by this admission, but I want you to know this information about me so that you know that you are not a "freak" and that you can live a normal life. Sure, you may have to take medications for the rest of your life, but that is really a small inconvenience for stable mental health. The only alternative is for you to stop taking your medication and wind up either dead or in prison. Trust me, I know this from personal experience because I have been on and off my medications for many years of my life. It is only by the grace of God that I've been able to find the right medication that works for me. Actually, all those times that your mother told you that I was on a "mini vacation" were times that I was either locked up or in a mental health hospital. It was during those times that I had a complete mental breakdown and needed to be hospitalized for both your safety and my own safety.
I sincerely want you to know that I can relate to you and understand what you are going through because I have been there many times. When I was first diagnosed, I felt both fear and anger at the same time. I was angry because I was not sure why God would create me this way. I felt like He made me like your grandmother, who also suffered from our illness when she was alive. As a matter of fact, she never treated her illness because she did not think there was anything wrong with her. I was fearful because I knew that people would never understand me and they would treat me horribly as a result. Since I understand all too well what you are experiencing, I would like to take these next forty days to write you forty letters. In these letters, I will disclose some wise advice to you that I wish my own father would have told me when I was your age. I will also give hope and encouragement so that you will know how you will be able to live a life where you enjoy and glorify God, even while dealing with your mental illness.
My father and I were never close. So, I am hoping that my transparency in each of these letters will help us bond with one another. I would like to spare you all the heartache that I have experienced. Trust me when I tell you that my life has not been all "puppy dogs and rainbows". In reality, I have made a whole lot of bone-headed mistakes and the Lord has had to humble me in more ways than one. Thankfully, the Lord has led me to your step-mom, who has always shown me the patience and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result of her love and patience, I have been able to forgive myself and I have been able to live a life where I strive to live and healthy and stable life. Also, it is to God's glory that your mother has been able to forgive me and we remain good friends to this very day. Please take these life lessons to heart as I express some hard truths in your life. And maybe, just maybe, you will know how to live a life to the glory of God.
Signed,
Your Dad.
***Stay Tuned For Part 2 Of This Series***
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
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